Jack Colby Novels and Short Stories

The once notorious cabaret singer Adora Ferne guards a private treasure trove of twelve classic Jaguars, each donated by a former lover, but she hankers after the one that is missing.

Enter Jack Colby, who has been commissioned to buy the thirteenth dream car from its owner. But what seems a simple task is far from that, and Jack finds himself racing into danger.

Classic in the Dock

When Jack’s artist friend Giovanni roars into town, Jack is delighted. Giovanni is on his way to paint a 1930s Alfa Romeo, but Jack is horrified to hear later that same day that Giovanni has been arrested for murder.

What follows is a nightmare for Jack as he struggles to disentangle the truth behind the bizarre happenings at Plumshaw Manor.

Classic Cashes In

What is the reason behind enigmatic banking chief Philip Moxton’s desperate desire to possess a particular classic Packard saloon from the 1930s.

As Jack Colby struggles to piece together the mysterious story behind the car he is precipitated into a dangerous world where nothing is as it seems.

Classic in the Pits

When Jack hears a rumour that Old Herne’s, a club for aviation veterans and classic car enthusiasts, is closing down, he is appalled and attends its big annual summer show with foreboding. His instinct is right.

Brutal murder proves to be on the agenda, and mixed up with his investigation is a missing Porsche 356 and a 1965 Morgan.

Classic Mistake

When Jack Colby hears the voice of his former wife Eva on the phone he fears the worst – and he is right to do so. The body of her husband, Mexican band leader Carlos, has been found on the towpath of the River Medway and Eva becomes the chief suspect. Car detective Jack goes into action – although he is hindered by a second case, as the beguilingly beautiful twenty-year-old Daisy is determined that his efforts should be devoted to finding her stolen Morris Minor classic known as Melody.

Classic in the Clouds

It’s not often I’m in the forefront of a Peking to Paris rally revival – especially one that takes place in Kent. When I was given the seemingly crazy assignment of finding one of the two De Dion Boutons that took place in the original 1907 rally I had no idea what trouble this was going to plunge me into – murder for a start. And for a finish?

Well, read Classic in the Clouds and you’ll find out.

Classic in the Barn
This the first of my cases to be published as a full length novel. When I glimpsed a 1938 Lagonda V12 lying uncared for in a Kentish country barn, I just had to have a closer look – which brought me face to face with its angry owner, Polly Davis, former TV presenter and widow of car dealer Mike. Was it the car or Polly that first captivated me?

Then some days later I found Polly’s murdered body lying outside the barn. I was convinced that the Lagonda was somehow involved and was determined to bring her killer to justice. But somehow in my life hazard lights are always flashing . . .

Published by Severn House in hardback, trade paperback and ebook, and available from www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.comand in ebook Kindle and epub. Available in audio from Soundings.

Classic Calls the Shots
At first I couldn’t believe my luck when I was called in to investigate the disappearance of blockbuster film director Bill Wade’s rare 1935 Auburn speedster. It was taken from the studios where his current film was being shot. I suspected more was at stake than a straightforward theft. Despite my instant attraction to the charismatic lead of Dark Harvest, Louise Shaw, I could tell that cast and crew were at odds with each other and especially with the director’s wife Angie. My warning lights begin to flash about this assignment – and rightly so, because the stage was set for murder. I found myself drawn into the hunt for a cunning and vicious murderer, a hunt that became ever more menacing as the filming reached its finale.

From Minor to Major
Years ago I committed a crime myself. As a kid of nine or so I pinched a chum’s Dinky post office van and my conscience had troubled me ever since. So when the chum turned up years later accused of murder, I felt I owed it to him to investigate. Big mistake!

This is a short story included in the current Crime Writers’ Association anthology Guilty Consciences. Published by Severn House and available through www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com

Seeing Red
When I saw the desecration caused to a Cord Beverly at a car show, I nearly wept. It had been painted red. But that wasn’t the only desecration – there was a body in the back seat.